Archive for
28th October 2014

Sir Rod Aldridge, chairman of UTC sponsors the Aldridge Foundation and the Lowry, and his wife have made a £400,000 private donation to the organisation to boost a scheme for young people.

In the response, the venue is re-naming its Lowry Studio as The Aldridge Studio at The Lowry.

Sir Rod was the founder and chairman of Capita – the provider of business process outsourcing and integrated professional support service solutions – from its creation in 1984 until his retirement in 2006.

In 2006, he set up the Aldridge Foundation to help young people reach their potential and improve their communities, mainly through the sponsorship of entrepreneurial academy schools and colleges.

He was appointed an OBE for services to the computer industry in 2006 and received a knighthood in 2013 for his work with young people.

Now, he has made the donation with wife, Carol, Lady Aldridge.

The couple said: “We are passionate about ensuring that young people overcome challenges in their lives to achieve their full potential.

“The Lowry has an unparalleled track record in using the arts to change lives. We look forward to being part of the next phase of this exciting programme and seeing the benefits to people’s lives in Salford that The Lowry will achieve because of this donation.”

And Sir Rod told the M.E.N: “I am fortunate to be in a position to be able to do this and I never forget that that is the case.”

Sir Rod and Lady Aldridge have supported another of The Lowry’s projects aimed at young people.

They include its ‘Inspired to Aspire’ work and skills programme and Youth Dance Programme.

Julia Fawcett, chief executive of The Lowry, said: “Sir Rod has been a driving force in shaping our approach to our successful and life-changing learning and engagement activity.

“His and Carol’s latest donation will ensure this work continues to be at the heart of The Lowry’s mission – and the re-naming of The Studio is a fitting and thoroughly appropriate way to mark their incredible generosity.

“This donation, from one of the UK’s leading social entrepreneurs, is a fantastic endorsement of the work that The Lowry does in communities in Salford and across the north west.”